Taiwan: President Chen Shui-Bianhas Offers Talks with China

Taiwan's President Chen Shui-bianhas offered to hold unconditional talks with his Chinese counterpart Hu Jintao, saying it may open "a window of opportunity" for peace across the Taiwan Strait

Taiwan's President Chen Shui-bianhas offered to hold unconditional
talks with his Chinese counterpart Hu Jintao, saying it may open "a window
of opportunity" for peace across the Taiwan Strait.

Chen made the comments on Wednesday evening during a stopover
in the US city of Miami, Taiwan's state-funded Central News Agency said on Thursday.

It quoted Chen as saying he understands the expectations of
the international community for rivals Taipei and Beijing to reopen dialogue
and help maintain stability in the region.

"I would like to display my goodwill and sincerity again
and invite the leader of the other side for a talk without any preconditions,"
Chen said during a dinner with members of the local Taiwanese community.

He said the aim would be to "shake hans and talk in a
rational manner, and ...Jointly open a windo of opportunity leading to democracy
and peace on both sides of the Taiwan Strait."

The Taiwan leader said he hoped democracy and human rights
could prevail in China and the two sides would coexist peacefully. But he also
lambasted Beijing for enacting an anti-secession law earlier this year, which
authorizes the use of military force against Taiwan if the island moves toward
formal independence.

Earlier on Wednesday Chen received a human rights award through
video-conference from US Congressman Tom Lantos representing the Congressional
Human Rights Causus.

RELATED PUBLICATIONS

MEMBERS

NEWSLETTER

GET THE LATEST ACTIVITIES AND NEWS

The Unrepresented Nations and Peoples Organization (UNPO) is an international, nonviolent and democratic membership organisation. Its Members are indigenous peoples, minorities, unrecognised States and occupied territories that have joined together to defend their political, social and cultural rights, to preserve their environments and to promote their right to self-determination.